Cornwall
The closest campsite to St Ives town, with views across the bay from the pitches
Ayr Holiday Park occupies a hillside position directly above Porthmeor Beach on the western edge of St Ives, and its main selling point is simple: you can walk into the town centre in about ten minutes, downhill on the way in and a decent climb on the way back. Almost nowhere else in Cornwall lets you camp within walking distance of a town of this quality, with the Tate, four beaches, the harbour and dozens of restaurants and galleries at the bottom of the hill. Many of the pitches look north across St Ives Bay towards Godrevy lighthouse.
The park is graded to AA five-pennant standard and the facilities reflect that. There are level, well-drained grass and hardstanding pitches for tents, touring caravans and motorhomes, with electric hook-ups available on most. The toilet and shower blocks are modern and kept clean, and there are dishwashing sinks, a launderette, a small shop, a games room and a children's playground on site. Alongside the touring field the park runs holiday caravans and self-catering apartments, so the atmosphere is more managed holiday park than rough field, which suits some people and not others.
Expect to pay somewhere around the high twenties per night for a tent pitch outside peak weeks, rising to roughly £38 and above in high summer, when booking well in advance is essential. Dogs are welcome in both high and low season. The site is exposed to wind coming in off the bay, so pitch with the prevailing westerly in mind and use good pegs — the ground is shallow over rock in places. The coast path runs past the entrance, giving direct access to the spectacular walk out towards Zennor.